Reverend Zooms in for wedding
When a clergyman set to lead his brother’s wedding ceremony was told to self-isolate, the solution was an obvious one in our pandemic times – bring him in on Zoom.
The Reverend Chris Howson, who is chaplain at the University of Sunderland and based with the city’s minster, was given the frustrating news as the date of the marriage between his brother Leslie, 36, and Anna Appleyard, 42, approached.
But with a little bit more organisation, the plan came together so that Rev Chris could still play a major part in the day by appearing on a video link screened on a big television, while Canon Provost of Sunderland Minster Stuart Bain stepped forward to help with the ceremony in person.
In addition, other brother, Reg, 52, was also told he had to quarantine, which led to Anna’ s son Benjamin, nine, stepping up as best man, standing alongsidethe brothers’ nephew Call um ,20, as they helped the service run smoothly, while Anna’s daughter Lucy, six, was bridesmaid.
The church community rallied round to ensure everything was arranged and ready to go and to help those celebrating to follow Covid rules in place for the event.
Many others also tuned in through a virtual link after being unable to travel to the service, including friends in Australia.
It also featured the lighting of a candle for Anna’s son, Ethan, who died as a baby, and others for dear ones lost.
The news that Rev Chris could not preside over the day was a blow to the couple, who live in South London, after they chose the historic church in the heart of the city due to their family link and the fact Sunderland was their first trip together as a couple.
Rev Chris said: “Despite the pandemic, we were determined to let nothing get in the way of a great wedding. "Thank heavens for Zoom! "It meant I could jointly conduct my little brother' s wedding, and made sure that Leslie and Anna got a proper Sunderland blessing at the start of their married life together. At Sunderland Minster, we like to make dreams come true.”
Speaking before the service, Anna said: "Leslie had one wish, he’s been easy going about the wedding, but the one thing he wanted was for Chris to marry us. We thought we’ll wheel Chris in on Zoom and he would be a bit of a double act with Stuart.
"The church have been absolutely amazing.”